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The Isha Institute of Inner-sciences is a breathtaking mountain retreat for stress relief, rejuvenation, and complete well-being. The retreat offers yoga in its purest form, through experiential classical yoga and meditation classes, and powerfully energized meditation spaces such as the Adi Yogi: The Abode of Yoga. Outdoor recreation activities are another draw to the Isha Institute, located just 45 minutes outside of Chattanooga. Guests journey from around the globe to visit this unique destination to relax, reflect, and reconnect with nature in a tranquil oasis nestled in Tennessee’s spectacular Upper Cumberland.

Uber taxi service tends to be lower cost than a regular taxi. To book, you will need to download the Uber app on your smartphone with local service. Enter the Isha Institute address (951 Isha Lane, McMinnville, TN 37110) into the app to start your booking.

4) Kwik Cab: $180 Total

When booking with Kwik Cab, mention “Isha” to get the $180 flat rate from Nashville Airport. No additional fee for extra passengers (up to 5-6 passengers, as they have minivans). Call (615) 934-0777.

UCHRA is a state-funded resource which charges $11 per person each way between Nashville Airport and iii. The service is available only on weekdays and you must book your shuttle at least 48 hours in advance (excluding weekends). Note: Shuttle makes multiple stops along the route to pick up/drop off passengers, so travel time is longer. Register by calling 931-473-6652 and asking for the Transportation Department. Please properly cancel your UCHRA shuttle if you decide not to use this tax-funded resource.

UCHRA Shuttle Timings:

Departs Nashville Airport 11 AM – Arrives at Isha by 2 PM

Departs Nashville Airport 4 PM – Arrives at Isha by 7:45 PM

Departs iii at 4:45 AM – Arrives at Nashville Airport by 9:30 AM

Departs iii at 9:45 AM – Arrives at Nashville Airport by 2:30 PM

CHATTANOOGA, TN (1 hour away)

1) Nooga Taxi: $70 Total for 1 passenger

When booking with Nooga Taxi, mention “Isha” to get these rates between Chattanooga Airport and Isha: $70 for 1 passenger, $80 for 2, $114 for 3, $140 for 4, $150 for 5, and $156 for 6. Call (423) 458-2701

Uber taxi service tends to be lower cost than a regular taxi. To book, you will need to download the Uber app on your smartphone with local service. Enter the Isha Institute address (951 Isha Lane, McMinnville, TN 37110) into the app to start your booking.

Activities are available at the times below, depending on availability of volunteers and space. Two meals and one snack are served per day. Meals are hearty vegetarian food prepared from scratch and inspired by cuisines from around the globe. For visitors who are not staying overnight, there is a charge for meals of $10/adult, $5/child age 7 to 13, and free for children under 7.

As a commitment to bring well-being to the surrounding communities, Isha Institute will be offering free yoga classes and lessons on vegetarian cooking every month.

Virtual Tour

Virtual Tour

Volunteering

Be a Volunteer

“The Question Is Not About The Volume Of What You Do; The Willingness With Which You Breathe, And Walk And Live, That Makes You A Volunteer.”

-Sadhguru

There are many opportunities to contribute to iii. Anyone can visit the Institute for their own personal, spiritual growth and participate in various volunteer activities including programs and events.

Volunteering at Isha Institute of Inner-sciences includes various activities ranging from meal preparation to gardening, and center maintenance activities. Volunteers also can offer their unique skills on projects to beautify or create special features for the campus.

Any number of days, as a guest, with accommodation charges. If you wish to stay for more than 7 days, please contact Isha Institute for an application form.

What are the check-in/check-out times?

Check in time is 3pm. If you arrive earlier than scheduled, we cannot guarantee that your room will be available until 3pm. Check out time is 12pm.

What is the timing for meals?

Brunch: 10 am-11 am
Dinner: 7 pm-8 pm

What is appropriate attire?

Support the spiritual focus of the ashram by not wearing tight-fitting or revealing clothing, including short-shorts, tank tops, etc. Simple, loose-fitting clothes, in good condition, are appropriate. Women: Full-length pants or capris are appropriate. Men: Pants or long shorts (knee-length) are appropriate. Shoes are removed when entering all buildings and rooms including sleeping areas. Many paths are gravel or earth – comfortable shoes with a rugged sole are recommended.

What should I bring with me to the center?

Weather on the mountain where Isha Institute is situated can fluctuate. Please be prepared for wet weather and cool nights. Click here for local weather updates on the mountain. Below are some suggested items to pack :

Flashlight

Towel (if staying in the semi-private lodges)

Toiletries

Hiking or Tennis Shoes

Comfortable Clothing

Rain Jacket or Umbrella

Bug Spray (during the warmer months)

Warm jacket or coat (even through the summer months, evenings may be quite cool).

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, checks and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) are all accepted at the Isha Institute.

What is your cancellation policy?

There is a 10% cancellation fee for stays, and no fee for transferring. The cancellation policy for a program fee will vary depending on the program.

Isha Institute Amenities

Do you have internet access? Can I check my e-mail?

Due to limited bandwidth at the Isha Institute, Wi-Fi is only available to guests who absolutely require it for work purposes. In such situations, the Wi-Fi fee is $5/day. For those who simply wish to check email or stay in touch with family, there are 3 public computers available on the campus.

Will my cell phone work at the center?

Cellular service is often inconsistent on the campus, except for those with Verizon as their provider. Isha’s landline phone is available to update your family about arrival and travel, but long conversations may not be possible.

Transportation To Isha Institute

Do you provide transportation to and from nearby airports?

Isha shuttles are available directly to and from Nashville (and sometimes Chattanooga) airport on program weekends. If your timings don’t match up with our shuttles, there are several other options.

Visiting Isha Institute

What can I do while I’m there?

The Isha Institute offers a variety of programs, activities and energized spaces that provide opportunities and methods to increase and attain physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. It is a unique space created for the purpose of allowing human beings to deepen their life experience and to reach their ultimate potential.

There is no fee for a day visit. Day visitors are asked to pay for meals, $10 per adult and $5 per child (age 7-13), payable at the Welcome Center desk when you check in. Learn more about day visits here.

Each year Isha Institute offers the Isha Summer Program for Children which offers a unique possibility for every child to experience a joyful blossoming of his or her natural potential.

Children are always welcome to sit quietly in meditation spaces like Adiyogi: The Abode of Yoga. Children may also explore the gardens and hiking trails when accompanied by an adult.

Note: Children under age 14 need to be accompanied by an adult at all times while on campus

Can I bring my pet(s)?

Pets are not allowed on the premises.

How do I get there?

Isha Institute is located on Isha Lane, which intersects with Tennessee Highway 8. The Institute is approximately 16 miles from the center of the town of McMinnville, Tennessee. There is a large “Isha Institute of Inner Sciences” sign at the front of the entrance to the property on route 8.

Here is a map with directions from major cities to Isha Institute. Please look up your directions online and bring them with you, as many GPS systems give incorrect or outdated directions to our location.

Isha Foundation USA offers yoga and meditation programs in many major cities throughout the US and Canada. A list of scheduled programs is here, and a list of city centers where programs are offered is here. For those who wish to take a program in any of Isha’s other city centers around the globe, please visit our global website, www.IshaYoga.org.

Is Isha Institute a non-smoking environment?

Smoking or oral tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and other similar devices of any kind are not allowed on the campus.